The numbers - 40 percent think a deal will be reached, 49
percent don't and the rest are unsure - match those of a similar survey
conducted just a few weeks ago.

If a deal to prevent tax increases and massive spending cuts -
including $500 billion sliced from the defense department - isn't reached, the
majority of those surveyed said they would blame the GOP. Congressional
Republicans would be to blame, said 53 percent of
those polled vs. 27 percent who said President Obama would be responsible.

The poll showed 55 percent of Democrats were confident a
deal can be reached. Twenty-two percent of Republicans thought a compromise would
be achieved and 37 percent of independents agreed.

Most people don't understand the consequences of a failure
to reach that deal, the poll showed. Only 28 percent said they understood very well and 29
percent said they understood fairly well. The confusion is even higher among
families with income less than $30,000 and those younger than 30.